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Applying Precedents Activity—Answer Key Applying Precedents Activity Applying Precedents Activity—Answer Key Comparison case: Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014) Precedent case: Engel v. Vitale (1962) What you need to know before you begin: When the Supreme Court decides a case, it clarifies the law and serves as guidance for how future cases should be decided. Before the Supreme Court makes a decision, it looks to precedents—past Supreme Court decisions about the same topic—to help make the decision. A principle called stare decisis (literally “let the decision stand”) requires that the precedent should be followed. If the case being decided is legally identical to a past decision, then the precedent is considered binding and the Supreme Court must decide the matter the same way (unless extraordinary circumstances justify “overruling” the precedent). However, cases that make it to the Supreme Court are typically not completely identical to past cases, and justices must consider the similarities and differences when deciding a case. The process of comparing past decisions to new cases is called “applying precedent.” Lawyers often argue for their side by showing how previous decisions would support the Supreme Court deciding in their favor. This might mean showing how a previous decision that supports their side is analogous (similar) to the case at hand. It can also involve showing that a previous decision that does not support their side is distinguishable (different) from the case they are arguing. How it’s done: In this exercise, you will analyze a precedent and compare it to Engel v. Vitale. You have been provided with information about two cases: 1) the facts, issue, and constitutional provisions/precedents of the comparison case (Town of Greece v. Galloway) and 2) a full summary of a precedent case (Engel v. Vitale). After reading about the cases, you will look for evidence that Town of Greece v. Galloway is analogous (similar) to the precedent case and evidence that the cases are distinguished (different) from each other. After considering both possibilities, you must decide whether the precedent is analogous enough to command the same outcome in the comparison case, or whether the comparison case is different enough to distinguish itself from the precedent. 1. Using factual and legal similarities, show how Town of Greece v. Galloway is analogous (similar) to the precedent case (Engel v. Vitale): Student answers will vary but should include: • Both cases involved prayers that were optional to participate in (in theory if not in practice). • Both prayers took place in government-administered settings. • Both cases directly deal with the Establishment Clause and whether a government- sponsored prayer in a government-administered setting is constitutional. 2. Show how Town of Greece v. Galloway is distinguished (different) from the precedent case (Engel v. Vitale) by pointing out factual and legal differences: © 2020 Street Law, Inc. Last updated: 06/12/2020 Applying Precedents Activity Student answers will vary but should include: • In Town of Greece v. Galloway the prayer took place at a Town Board meeting in which attendance is optional, whereas in Engel v. Vitale the prayer took place at school for which attendance is mandatory. • In Town of Greece v. Galloway the audience for the prayer was largely adults, whereas in Engel v. Vitale the audience for the prayer was students who were minors. • In Town of Greece v. Galloway the meeting-goers were free to leave the room, whereas in Engel v. Vitale the students were not free to leave the room. • In Town of Greece v. Galloway the prayer was led by volunteer clergy members who were invited by the Board, whereas in Engel v. Vitale prayer was led by the students’ teacher who is employed by the school. • In Town of Greece v. Galloway the volunteer clergy members could give prayers aligned with their own sect, whereas in Engel v. Vitale the prayer referenced a general “God” and was intentionally written to be non-denominational. 3. We found that Town of Greece v. Galloway is __________________ (analogous to or distinguished from) the precedent case (Engel v. Vitale) because (choose the most convincing similarities or differences from questions 1 and 2): Student answers will vary but will likely be based on their answers to questions #1 and #2. 4. Based on the application of the precedent, how should Town of Greece v. Galloway be decided? _____ Decision for Town of Greece _____ Decision for Galloway Student answers will vary but should be based on their answer to #3. In a 5-4 decision, the Court ruled in favor of the Town of Greece. After students complete the Applying Precedents Activity, consider sharing the complete case summary of Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014). © 2020 Street Law, Inc. 2 Applying Precedents Activity Comparison Case: Town of Greece v. Galloway (2014) Argued: November 6, 2013 Decided: May 5, 2014 Background The First Amendment to the Constitution protects the fundamental right of religious freedom: “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof....” The first part, the Establishment Clause, prevents the government from giving special preference to any particular religion. The second part, the Free Exercise Clause, prohibits the government from interfering with a person’s practice of their religion, in most instances. This is a case about whether prayer before a legislative session violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. Facts Before 1999, the Town of Greece, NY, would open its Town Board meetings with a moment of silence. Beginning in that year, however, the town began to invite local clergy to offer an opening prayer. The prayer is delivered over the Board's public address system. Prayer-leaders have often asked audience members to participate by bowing their heads, standing, or joining in the prayer. The prayer is followed by the Town Board’s normal activity, including a public forum and a portion of the meeting where business owners and residents apply for zoning changes or various permits. The town has no formal policy for inviting prayer-givers, for the content of the prayers, or for any other aspect of its prayer practice. The town says that it would permit any type of invocation and that it has never denied a request to lead a prayer. The town does not publicize these facts to residents, however. Town staff invites religious leaders to offer the prayers, selecting from congregations listed in a local directory. Because the vast majority of local congregations are Christian, the vast majority of prayers given are as well. From 1999 to 2007, all of the clergy members who delivered the opening prayer were Christian. Between 2007 and 2010, four prayers were delivered by non-Christian individuals. Of the invocations that took place from 1999 to 2010, two-thirds included uniquely Christian language (words like “Jesus,” “Christ,” or “Holy Spirit”), and the remaining one-third spoke in more generally theistic terms. Susan Galloway and Linda Stephens attended numerous Town Board meetings since 1999 and began to complain about the prayer practice in 2007. In 2008, they sued the town for violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment. © 2018 Street Law, Inc. 3 Applying Precedents Activity Issue Did the Town of Greece’s practice of opening board meetings with a prayer violate the First Amendment? Supreme Court Precedents − Marsh v. Chambers (1983) The Nebraska Legislature had a long-standing tradition to open its session with a non- sectarian prayer led by a state-employed chaplain. The Supreme Court ruled that this opening prayer tradition did not violate the Establishment Clause because such prayer has been the official practice of the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate since before the First Amendment was ratified. In light of that history, the Court said that Nebraska’s prayer was constitutional as long as it did not proselytize, disparage any religion, or advance any one faith or belief. − Lynch v. Donnelly (1984) A city in Rhode Island put up a Christmas display. It included a nativity scene, a Santa Claus, reindeer, and candy canes. The Supreme Court decided that this city-sponsored display did not violate the Establishment Clause. They said a government action is invalid if it creates a perception in the mind of a reasonable observer that the government is either endorsing or disapproving of religion. Viewed in the context of the holiday display, they did not believe the nativity scene advocated a particular religious message. − County of Allegheny v. ACLU (1989) Five years after Lynch, the Supreme Court ruled that a nativity display in a county courthouse was unconstitutional. The nativity scene was displayed alone, and prominently said “Glory to God for the birth of Jesus Christ.” They decided that the nativity display affiliated the government with one specific faith (Christianity). The Court said that “history cannot legitimate practices that demonstrate the government's allegiance to a particular sect or creed.” − Lee v. Weisman (1992) A middle school invited a Jewish rabbi to deliver a prayer at the graduation ceremony. The prayer referred to “God” and “Lord” in general terms. The Supreme Court ruled that this prayer violated the Establishment Clause. They explained that the government violates the Establishment Clause if it (1) provides direct aid to religion in a way that would tend to establish a state church, or (2) coerces people to support or participate in religion against their will. They believed that students could feel coerced to participate in an officially- sponsored prayer at graduation. © 2018 Street Law, Inc. 4 Applying Precedents Activity Precedent Case: Engel v. Vitale (1962) Argued: April 3, 1962 Decided: June 25, 1962 Background The First Amendment to the Constitution protects the right to religious worship, yet it also shields Americans from the establishment of state-sponsored religion.
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